Flower pots
#1
Flower pots
I am going to refinish pots for my patio. Most are ceramic, clay and the usual red ones - don't know their composition. is there anyone out there who has had success in doing this? What product did you use. Did you paint them a different color - did you have good luck? Know of any pitfalls or precautions I should take note of before starting? Would apprecite any input.
#2
Hi Beverlyhill!
Yesterday I was fixing some not-so-great-looking pots - just the regular clay variety. What I did was put a base coat of exterior paint on first (around the outside only), thereby sealing the surface. Then I used what acrylic paints I have on hand to paint designs on them. Once I'm finished with decorating, I will apply a clear finish (something like shellac, I guess) to seal each one. For a shiny surface, several coats need to be applied. To achieve a high gloss, I have been told, each coat (once dry) must be sanded lightly with a very fine sand paper before following up with the next coat. Not at all sure about this, however.
Everything I am using is what I already have here. I'm sure there are products out there that would work either as well or possibly better. But I haven't looked into that. I actually prefer natural terra cotta look, but the pots I am painting were previously painted in some oddball colors and designs and they were given to me to "spruce up".
I sure hope this helps.
If you hear of better ways of doing this, please be sure to pass it on to us here. Let us know how your project goes!!!
North Garden Gal
Yesterday I was fixing some not-so-great-looking pots - just the regular clay variety. What I did was put a base coat of exterior paint on first (around the outside only), thereby sealing the surface. Then I used what acrylic paints I have on hand to paint designs on them. Once I'm finished with decorating, I will apply a clear finish (something like shellac, I guess) to seal each one. For a shiny surface, several coats need to be applied. To achieve a high gloss, I have been told, each coat (once dry) must be sanded lightly with a very fine sand paper before following up with the next coat. Not at all sure about this, however.
Everything I am using is what I already have here. I'm sure there are products out there that would work either as well or possibly better. But I haven't looked into that. I actually prefer natural terra cotta look, but the pots I am painting were previously painted in some oddball colors and designs and they were given to me to "spruce up".
I sure hope this helps.
If you hear of better ways of doing this, please be sure to pass it on to us here. Let us know how your project goes!!!
North Garden Gal
#3
I've done pretty much the same as NorthGardenGal in painting terra cotta pots.. you can also use a regular can of clear acrylic spray to fix the painted colors so they will not fade out.. a steel wool pad with 0000 is best to use as it will not scratch up the terra cotta.. I had been told you could not paint terra cotta pots with just an acrylic paint, but I have used it... however I do believe a base coat will make it a longer lasting paint for your clay pots... and for those plastic pots.... I'd use a regular enamel paint for those... as acrylic is hard to get to stay put on plastic... I like the terra cottas best too..
this is giving me the spring fever.. is it time to plant in the yard yet???
this is giving me the spring fever.. is it time to plant in the yard yet???
#4
Thanks for imput. I gathered up all my distressed pots and just had at it. I used two coats of enamel paint and completed it with polyurathane. They look teriffic - just hope they hold up.
For cheap paint of good quality, I have discovered Home Depot's "junk pile." It is paint that has been mixed and customer has refused. They have a pretty good selection of quarts and gallons of enamel and their price varies from $1 to $2 for quarts and $3 to $4 for gallons.
For cheap paint of good quality, I have discovered Home Depot's "junk pile." It is paint that has been mixed and customer has refused. They have a pretty good selection of quarts and gallons of enamel and their price varies from $1 to $2 for quarts and $3 to $4 for gallons.
#5
I bet those pots are pretty now too... and the enamel paint with the poly.. should last a long time..... we don't have a Home Depot in my town but I do the same thing at Lowe's... I love to look through the reduced bins at Lowe's.. some pretty good buys.... I love to look for ceramic tiles too.. as they are so much cheaper than the ones on display....
#6
Hi!
I'm glad you got YOUR pots done I'm close, though.
Beverlyhill, how does the polyurothane finish look - is it really glossy? Did you do several coats or just one? I'm curious.
One thing to remember about painting and sealing those ceramic pots is they won't dry out as fast now, so watering can be reduced somewhat.
Good to hear about the "deals" at Lowe's and HD - hard to believe I probably wouldn't have thought of that!
I'm so ready to get started with gardening, too. What an incredibly cold and long winter we've had in, well, most of the country! Virginia was not singled out in the least!
Happy gardening to you both!
North Garden Gal
I'm glad you got YOUR pots done I'm close, though.
Beverlyhill, how does the polyurothane finish look - is it really glossy? Did you do several coats or just one? I'm curious.
One thing to remember about painting and sealing those ceramic pots is they won't dry out as fast now, so watering can be reduced somewhat.
Good to hear about the "deals" at Lowe's and HD - hard to believe I probably wouldn't have thought of that!
I'm so ready to get started with gardening, too. What an incredibly cold and long winter we've had in, well, most of the country! Virginia was not singled out in the least!
Happy gardening to you both!
North Garden Gal
#7
I feel fortunate to not have had as terrible a winter as most across the states.... in the last few days it has been mild with some off and on rain.. but not heavy rains and no snow... I too am ready to get dirt under my nails... I've already been out pulling up weeds..... and trying to figure out where to start first on a spring cleanup.... and I'm patiently awaiting the day I can go get more terra cotta pots.... Maybe Saturday would be good day for that.....
#8
Hi Glorifiedlily,
Until just a day or so ago, the snow covered most of the flower beds and the entire vegetable garden! So even weeding was out of the question. The snow has been a real blessing here to help restore ground water levels, and we can even see and hear the river down the hill from the house flowing! Before, you could only see where water had once cut a path and the water flow was a mere trickle. So, as much as I want to complain about the cold and snow, I see that I would be one ungrateful soul for doing so.
I'm almost ready to put a finish on my pots! Tomorrow! Yeah!
North Garden Gal
Until just a day or so ago, the snow covered most of the flower beds and the entire vegetable garden! So even weeding was out of the question. The snow has been a real blessing here to help restore ground water levels, and we can even see and hear the river down the hill from the house flowing! Before, you could only see where water had once cut a path and the water flow was a mere trickle. So, as much as I want to complain about the cold and snow, I see that I would be one ungrateful soul for doing so.
I'm almost ready to put a finish on my pots! Tomorrow! Yeah!
North Garden Gal
#9
Hi All,
I'm a little late in this conversation. The craft stores sell "Patio Paint" that comes in different colors. Michael's has it on sale occasionally. You don't have to seal it, and it lasts a long time. I've also used it on rubberstamps too and made frogs going across the sidewalk by a "Frog crossing" sign. Also ladybugs by a "ladybug crossing" sign. You can use it on stepping stones, or absolutely anything that goes outside. I wish it came in gallons.
One year for Christmas, the grandkids decorated pots for me with their handprints, etc. They used regular acrylic paint, and it's coming off because it wasn't sealed. Since I hadn't planted one of them, but used it for something else, I made a lamp out of it could be a keepsake. So, definitely, seal well if you use regular acrylic paints.
A question was asked about ceramic pots. I've used Design Master spray paint (from Michael's) to paint lamps, but I've never used it for anything going outside. I would think that you could seal it with an outdoor varnish and be fine. (I even sprayed a silk lampshade with it. It said it was good for silk flowers.) Once in awhile, it's on sale 50% off.
I bought a pot at a garage sale that had been spray painted in stripes. They taped it off. It held up well last year, so you could also try outdoor spray paints.
Gami
I'm a little late in this conversation. The craft stores sell "Patio Paint" that comes in different colors. Michael's has it on sale occasionally. You don't have to seal it, and it lasts a long time. I've also used it on rubberstamps too and made frogs going across the sidewalk by a "Frog crossing" sign. Also ladybugs by a "ladybug crossing" sign. You can use it on stepping stones, or absolutely anything that goes outside. I wish it came in gallons.
One year for Christmas, the grandkids decorated pots for me with their handprints, etc. They used regular acrylic paint, and it's coming off because it wasn't sealed. Since I hadn't planted one of them, but used it for something else, I made a lamp out of it could be a keepsake. So, definitely, seal well if you use regular acrylic paints.
A question was asked about ceramic pots. I've used Design Master spray paint (from Michael's) to paint lamps, but I've never used it for anything going outside. I would think that you could seal it with an outdoor varnish and be fine. (I even sprayed a silk lampshade with it. It said it was good for silk flowers.) Once in awhile, it's on sale 50% off.
I bought a pot at a garage sale that had been spray painted in stripes. They taped it off. It held up well last year, so you could also try outdoor spray paints.
Gami